From

Location

Message

Date Posted

San Diego

I saw a pic of a 400 lb'er somewhere that won an award for best shape and form. Is there a method to keeping a pumpkin's shape from flattening out on the bottom and getting unpumpkinlooking? Is there a how-to blurb somewhere?

6/15/2010 10:30:50 AM

Pataskala,OH

I don't think so.

6/15/2010 10:56:47 AM

El Paso TX.

I think it is more of a genetics thing - those that grow with thicker walls and a smaller internal cavity can withstand the force of gravity a bit better and stay more round instead of flattening under their own weight.

6/15/2010 11:06:48 AM

Westford, MA

40 grit sand paper

6/15/2010 11:49:23 AM

Minnesota

Hug it alot (huh huh huh)

6/15/2010 1:56:11 PM

[email protected]

Late pollination, lot's of mill fabric and sand, genetic selection.

6/15/2010 2:12:05 PM

Middle TN

I wish I knew ... my first AG is looking like a bell bottom'd blob! but I love it anyway LOL
Tammy

Richard B, I hug mine at least twice a day, hasnt helped so far! haha

6/15/2010 2:42:13 PM

SF Bay Area, California

Grow the pumpkin on a water bed. Works every time...

6/15/2010 10:06:33 PM

Falls City, NE

roll it over daily

6/15/2010 10:40:14 PM

Pemberton, BC

Didn't Bill Bobier try a sling of some sort to keep the bottom from flattening and to help relieve some of the pressure on the side walls? Any idea how that worked out, seems good in theory.

6/15/2010 11:28:15 PM

Deer Park WA

Dig a big hole under it and fill with sand as it grows to keep it round.

6/15/2010 11:42:44 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

So far so good...ss and ee measurements are almost equal!!! Peace, Wayne
PS...it's gonna be flat on the bottom!!! The ground it's growing on is flat. Dig a hole to keep it round, and water will collect there!
PS...great idea, Diana!!! LOL

6/16/2010 12:36:40 AM

Bethlehem CT

I think genes are important. I think the 364 Webster is a real good one to consider growing if you want round.

6/16/2010 7:27:57 AM

Rhode Island

the bigger the pumpkin the flatter the bottom. most competition growers would prefer a pretty big one over a ugly big one but they wont go to ant elaborate means to accomplish perfection.
having said that if i wanted to grow a nice round monster? id grow it in a hole (using the hole for a form of sorts under the fruit) id also have a tri-pod erected over the hole and a heavy sling under the pumpkin to raise and lower it out of the hole as weather permits)
sounds like a lot of work to me and would cut into my afternoon beer and nap time. i better stick with whatever shape i get.

6/16/2010 7:44:41 AM

Chad, Ray did do that. I want to say it was 2006 or something like that. On the day of the weigh off he went to lift it and there was a crack in the bottom. But it still sounds like a good idea.... That is if anybody wants to try it.

Martin

6/16/2010 11:42:21 AM

Greenville,Pa.

Remember the Earth is round. There will always be a slieght concave on the bottom of your pumpkin to match the curvature of the Earth. The bigger your pumpkin, the more concave it will be!

6/16/2010 11:59:56 AM

Colorado

A flat bottom is good when your speeding around town with the pumpkin in the bed of your truck

6/16/2010 12:47:16 PM

Las Cruces NM

If you want to try the hole, I sugest you dig it big and first fill it with gravel then sand to provide drainage, of couse if you are going to do that, you might as well do it above ground with lots of sand to form a sweet round crator to grow in.

6/16/2010 6:50:30 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

LOL, Pap...sounds like the first chapter of Dick's Tip's 3!
Peace, Wayne

6/17/2010 12:54:50 AM